What Workplace Managers Should Start Planning Now for a Healthier 2026
The 470% ROI Most Workplace Managers Are Missing
Every year, it's the same story.
"We'll sort out the office wellness initiatives in January."
Then January arrives, budgets are locked, good suppliers are fully booked, and you're scrambling to make decisions nobody's happy with.
Deloitte's 2024 research shows that employers get back £4.70 for every £1 spent on workplace wellbeing.
That's a 470% return on investment.
But only 55% of UK and Irish employees feel their workplace cares about wellbeing. That means nearly half of all businesses are missing out on this return.
The workplaces that feel genuinely different in 2026 are being planned right now.
Why January is Already Too Late
Budget cycles close in December for most Irish businesses.
If wellness isn't in your approved budget by year-end, you're fighting for scraps in Q1.
The vendors worth working with get booked up during November and December because other workplace managers are planning ahead.
By January, you're stuck with whoever has availability, not who's the best.
There's also the employee perception issue.
When nothing changes from one year to the next, your team notices. They see the same tired breakroom setup, the same limited options, the same "we'll get to it eventually" vibe.
That signal (intentional or not) says a lot about priorities.
Planning now means you start 2026 strategically, not reactively.
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You have leverage in negotiations.
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You have time to implement properly.
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You can create the workplace experience your team deserves.
Three Things Every Workplace Manager Should Plan Before 2026
1. Daily Nutrition That Keeps Employees Going
Your office breakroom is a daily touchpoint that shapes how valued your employees feel.
When people have access to fresh, high-quality food throughout the day, it impacts their energy, focus, and whether they tell friends your workplace is a good place to work. So ask yourself:
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What's currently in your breakroom?
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When did you last ask your team what they'd appreciate?
Most workplace managers inherit a setup and never revisit it. That's a missed opportunity.
Explore our office fruit delivery options→
2. Consolidate Your Suppliers and Reclaim Your Time
Here's a scenario you'll recognise.
You're managing one supplier for fruit, another for coffee, someone else for water, a different vendor for event catering, and another for breakroom snacks.
Each one has different:
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Delivery schedules
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Invoicing systems
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And contact points
That's five relationships to manage, five potential points of failure, and countless hours spent coordinating what should be simple.
What if one reliable partner could handle all of it?
Everything from daily fruit deliveries to pantry essentials to event catering managed through a single, streamlined system.
That's not just convenience. That's getting hours back in your week.
See how our fully managed programmes work →
3. Make Sustainability Something People Can See
Your employees care about environmental responsibility more than you might realise, especially your younger team members.
But generic statements about "caring for the planet" don't cut it anymore.
People want to see tangible actions in their everyday workplace environment.
A recent study from IBM found that over 70% of employees prefer to work for organisations with strong environmental credentials.
More importantly, they notice the small, daily choices that either back up those values or contradict them.
This is where planning matters.
- Choosing partners who prioritise local sourcing reduces transport emissions and supports Irish producers.
- Opting for packaging solutions that are genuinely recyclable, not just greenwashing, makes a visible difference.
- Implementing water systems that eliminate thousands of plastic bottles shows immediate, measurable impact.
These aren't just feel-good initiatives. They're retention tools that demonstrate your workplace's values through action, not just words.
Your November-December Action Plan
This Month (November)
Review your current spending on office food, beverages, and catering. Most workplace managers are surprised by how much they're spending across multiple vendors. Get the full picture.
Ask your team three simple questions:
- What do you appreciate about our current breakroom setup?
- What would make your day better?
- What's missing?
You don't need a formal survey, just ask.
Research partners who can genuinely consolidate your operations. Not just suppliers, but proper partners who understand workplace management challenges.
Before Year-End (December)
Lock in your 2026 wellness budget allocation. Make the case now while there's still flexibility in planning.
Choose your partner and agree on pricing before the January rush. Good vendors fill their capacity quickly.
Set up implementation plans for a smooth January rollout
January 2026
Launch your improved workplace setup with zero chaos. Everything's already organised, contracted, and scheduled.
Communicate the changes to your team. Let them know you listened and planned ahead. Watch engagement improve when people notice the difference.
How The Fruit People Simplifies Your 2026 Planning
Most workplace managers aren't looking for another vendor - they're looking to reduce vendors.
The Fruit people handle fresh fruit and healthy snacks, pantry management, event catering, equipment rentals, and inventory management.
One partner for everything.
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We prioritise Irish producers, run electric delivery vans, and power our warehouse with solar energy.
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Our packaging is fully recyclable through Smurfit Kappa.
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Our Bevi smart water dispensers save over 50,000 plastic bottles per machine annually - visible sustainability your team will notice.
We manage the complexity: no stockouts, catering stress, or quality concerns.
The Bottom Line
The workplaces that feel genuinely healthier and more engaging in 2026 aren't accidents. They're the result of planning that's happening right now.
You have a choice: start the year ahead, or start it behind.
The managers who plan in November and December get better pricing, better service, and better outcomes. The ones who wait until January get whatever's left.
Which category do you want to be in?
Let's talk about your 2026 workplace plan. We work with workplace managers across Dublin and Ireland to create healthier, simpler, more sustainable office environments.
References:
Prioritising employee wellbeing may help stem the tide of rising turnover
How workplace wellbeing programs generate a 470% ROI
https://work.life/blog/workplace-wellbeing-programs-470-percent-roi-returns
IBM: What is sustainability in business?
